happiness is the new black

Happy Summer! Check this out.

ninotchkab — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:15:00 +0000

http://www.theyearsareshort.com/

1 minute movie. Great message.

What happened, April?*

ninotchkab — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:28:07 +0000

Editor’s Note: April was super low on the happies. Let’s hope for a happier, more fruitful May!

#63 Happiness is a day in the sunshine with my kids and good friends.

#62 Daffodils after a long winter.

#61 Date night with your husband and agreat conversation of hope the next morning.

ninotchkab — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:28:01 +0000

#60 …falling asleep lying next to you, holding your hand.

#59 I absolutely love to soak in the pink glow of my little girls’ room when the sun is shining through their window. Never thought I’d be the type.

#58 if happiness is a place, that’s where i’m going
if happiness is a choice, that’s what i’m picking
if happiness is a battle, that’s what i’m fighting for

we all go to places, make decisions, and fight battles that don’t end up so happy. but as long as happy is what we aim for, we will get there.
so live not for those moments that make up tear up and hide away, but for those that make your heart flutter, your smile widen, and that are simply…happy
xoxo

#57 Seeing your son and daughter kiss and hug repeatedly each and everyday – it’s affirmation that you have done a good job as a parent and there is plenty of love to go around in this here home.

Call for Valentine’s submissions

ninotchkab — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:13:28 +0000

Editor’s Note: (3/1/09) Well, that was a bit of a bust. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful LOVE-filled holiday. Onward!

Here’s your opportunity to gush about your beloved without anyone rolling their eyes. ha ha ha Or tell us a wonderful story of love that you hold dear or has inspired you. It’s all love, all the time this month. Let’s hear it!

Submission Deadline: 2/13/09

ninotchkab — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:57:09 +0000

Editor’s Note: Happy New Year, everyone! Times are hard for many, if not all, of us. Just remember that love, grace and hope are free and ever plentiful. More than ever, I encourage you to submit early and often. Consider “happiness is the new black” your own personal gratitude journal. Your posts are all so lovely, I practically have to sit on my hands not to reply to each and everyone that comes to my mailbox. Let’s dig deep and make 2009 our happiest, most fulfilling year yet!

#56 I love sharing my life with you. Good or bad, it’s nice to always have you in my corner and by my side.

#55 PRESIDENT OBAMA!

#54 Happiness is your best friend telling you that you deserve the goodness that you have received after everyone else has told you are unworthy of it. Even though she may not be as happy as you at that moment, she can be happy for you.

#53 Happiness is knowing that the man who got you a last minute Christmas gift really does love you even if he isn’t so good with the forward planning of gift-giving

#52 I worked really hard on a project that meant a lot to me and it was very successful. In the process I made a lot of friends and learned a lot along the way about people and life in general. Happy DONE

#51 happiness is watching your son sing “Silent Night” in church while holding his little candle.

ninotchkab — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:19:07 +0000

*Editor’s Note: When I started this happiness project, my goal was to get at least 100 “happies.” I’m thrilled that we’re half way through. Thank you so much. Please, keep the happiness coming, everyone. It is such a beautiful thing! Happy Holidays to you all.

#50 The world turns [and burns] on a thought. Let’s send some good ones out there that will help this man and all the suffering people in the world.” Daily Kabbalah, 12/18/08

#49 Hot married the-kids-are-at-school daytime sex.

#48 On this cold, blustery Chicago morning commute, the bus driver addressed the passengers, “Welcome happy Chicagoans to the Happy Bus. We will be running express until our first happy stop, happy Wacker and happy Columbus. Have a happy day at work and a happy weekend.” Nearly every person thanked him as they exited the bus with smiles on their faces.

#47 When my son woke up from a nap yesterday, I got such a kick out of watching his reactions as he traveled from room to room, discovering holiday decorations he hadn’t yet seen. “WOW! Wookit THAT!”

#46 Happiness is hearing my 3-year old squeal with delight at the mere idea of seeing SANTA today:) Can’t get better than that!

#45 Happiness is….listening to your 1st grader read you a book! It fills my heart with love and joy!

#44 Happiness is watching my 3 year old son make his own “bean bag chair” using his wild imagination. Love it!

Don’t Let The Happy Die!

ninotchkab — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:00:18 +0000

The Happy vault is almost empty. I know the holidays are super busy for everyone but won’t you please share just a tiny bit of your happiness with us? It only takes a second and it doesn’t hurt, I promise. In fact, when you submit a happy thought, magical unicorns and fairies fly out of your computer screen and kiss you lightly on the cheek. I hear it tickles.

(OK, I made that last bit up. Please DO take a minute to submit though. We have such a good thing going here.)

Gratitude

ninotchkab — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:57:43 +0000

Editor’s note – More wonderful expressions of gratitude: Undonelady, Andie, Leta Joy, Narah

(Did you write a gratitude post this Thanksgiving season? If so, please link it in the comments. I find them lovely and uplifting and, hey, that’s what this happiness blog is all about.)

#43 I’m thankful for all the little joys in life that most people take for granted: kids laughing in their sleep, a big bear of a dog who loves to cuddle, nature walks, a memory-inducing song, yummy food, a good book, scarf weather, long phone calls, clean laundry, a gentle rain, frothy lattes, “snail” mail and freedom of creative expression…just to name a few.

#42 I’m thankful for my son. He is growing into such a sweet, goofy, intelligent, talkative young man. I seriously don’t know what I would do without him in my life!

#41 I am thankful for the lessons life has taught me. Not always easy, but always a source of growth. And that’s what’s most important.

#40 I’m thankful that I have a loving husband, two sons, and an exceptional extended group of family and friends that I can count on in the best, and the worst of times.

#39 I’m grateful for my family, for the family I found when I got married…the family that showed me what a family can be, how they should be. The family that never stopped looking for me, that gave me a history.

#38 I’m grateful for the family my hubby and I made, and the fact that when it comes down to it, as long as we are together, we can get through anything.

#37 I am thankful for my Mama calling me at 6:00am to wish me a happy birthday and to my husband that got up before the call to make me coffee and light my 29 candles even though I was born in 1975.

Themed Post: Gratitude

ninotchkab — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:17:29 +0000

It’s that time of year. Won’t you please share with us what you’re grateful for? Feel free to leave a comment on this post, email thehappyblog@gmail.com or DM @thehappyblog on Twitter.

Thanks so much!

ninotchkab — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:37:00 +0000

#36 “Happy Soup” for the cold months ahead

#35 Happiness is realizing your 3 year old hasn’t asked for his “binkie” in 3 days and listening to my 6 year old read a book…love it!

#34 It sounds cliché but service and kindness to others and good old fashioned fresh air chases away the blues for me every time.

#33 Finding the correct medicine and dosage for my son’s ADHD so I can enjoy the real and genuine HIM. Not wanting to swat him and his ADHD away like a fly (and feeling so awful for it) is more happiness than my heart can stand right now. Gotta go give hugs!

#32 I randomly stop everything I’m doing and dance with my kids around the house. They love it and so do I.

#31 Happiness is looking at how sweet your child looks when he is sleeping… and then going to bed yourself knowing all is well.